Design Perspectives Lectures: 27-28 Oct

Prof. Nigel Cross is a world leader in design research and design education. He has been active in these fields since the 1960s and as Emeritus Professor of Design Studies at The Open University he has developed a wide range of distance-education courses in design.

With academic and practical backgrounds in architecture and industrial design, Professor Cross is President of the Design Research Society, President of the International Association of Societies of Design Research, and the Editor-in-Chief of Design Studies, the leading international journal of design research.

Lecture 1: Creative Thinking in Design
Date: Wed 27th October
Time: 3.30pm - 4.30pm

Lecture 2: Understanding Design Thinking
Date: Thurs 28th October
Time: 6pm - 7pm

Location: PA309 Lecture Theatre, PA Building, 144 High Street (corner of Thomas Street), Prahran VIC 3181

Lecture 1 covers:

Current research indicates that leading designers draw on common cognitive patterns in their work. To examine this phenomenon, Nigel Cross draws on reports and observations of creative design by outstanding designers. The examples cover a wide range of cases in engineering and product design, from the exotic advanced design of Formula One race cars to the mundane world of bicycle luggage racks. While these examples represent different contexts, the design process reveals common qualities that lead to success in creative designing.

Lecture 2 covers:

While we often speak of design ability as a mysterious gift or talent, there is even more to this mystery than many people realise. Nigel Cross is a leading figure in the area of design research that is gradually building a deep understanding of what Cross labels ‘designerly ways of thinking.’ This presentation draws on research into the processes of designing, with an emphasis on understanding creative aspects of design. The research methods now in use include protocol studies and other observations of design activity, such sketching and drawing. Quotations from interviews with leading designers illustrate personal observations on design thinking, helping researchers to develop insight about the nature of design thinking.

For further information contact Andrea Streckfuss
Email: astreckfuss@swin.edu.au, Phone: 03 9214 6078